This morning’s news. Again, a lot of this cribbed from an update yesterday from Sarah Abernathy of CEF. - Jeff 2018 Appropriations The continuing resolution that is keeping the government funded despite the absence of actual FY 2018 appropriations legislation expires on December 8th - next week! From Sarah: "We’re hearing a new rumor about a plan that involves enacting three different funding bills: By December 8, enact a two-week continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government running at current levels until December 22. This gives Congress two additional weeks to complete a budget deal that would raise spending caps for two years and include supplemental funding for disaster relief. By December 22, enact that budget deal and the supplemental, along with yet another short-term CR into next year, giving appropriators time to complete a year-long omnibus funding bill using the increased funding levels for fiscal year 2018. Sometime after Congress returns in 2018, enact the omnibus bill for the full year. There are other key policy items that Congress must also address, including tax reform, reauthorizing CHIP (likely after tax reform in a bill with other health extenders), and flood insurance. What happens with dreamers is still a question. If this scenario plays out, Congress will depart on December 22 without having finalized FY 2018 funding.” (my emphasis) NDD United Letter Again from Sarah: "As you know, CEF is also heavily involved in NDD United’s advocacy efforts to protect non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending – Sheryl (CEF Executive Director) is a co-chair of NDD United. Yesterday NDD United also wrote to Congress again urging lawmakers to reject cuts to NDD programs by supporting a budget deal to eliminate sequestration. The letter lays out key reasons for supporting such a deal and protecting NDD programs.” Here is the letter: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55c4b954e4b0f8108cbd0423/t/5a1d9b838165f542d6141de7/1511889796701/NovBudgetDeal.pdf Tax Reform Updated version of the bill supposed to come out today. There was more in the Post yesterday on the negotiations with Sen. Corker to obtain his support for the bill. Reportedly he wants a provision that would trigger automatic tax increases if the tax cuts they are proposing now end up increasing the national debt by a certain amount. Corker "declined to share specifics” but said the amendment will be included in the updated version of the bill. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/11/29/daily-202-tension-over-adding-triggers-to-the-tax-bill-highlights-the-republican-identity-crisis-over-deficits/5a1e368b30fb0469e883f8f1/ <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2017/11/29/daily-202-tension-over-adding-triggers-to-the-tax-bill-highlights-the-republican-identity-crisis-over-deficits/5a1e368b30fb0469e883f8f1/> I mentioned earlier this week that among education groups, higher ed has been expressing the strongest concerns over what is being proposed. Here is a summary of the issues from ACE’s perspective, for example — if you are interested: http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ACE-Urges-Senate-to-Reconsider-Approach-to-Higher-Education-in-Tax-Bill.aspx <http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ACE-Urges-Senate-to-Reconsider-Approach-to-Higher-Education-in-Tax-Bill.aspx> Among NCL members I’ve seen several articles from CLASP on tax reform as well. Others? Gutiérrez Retirement Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) announced this week he is retiring from Congress. You may recall that Rep. Gutiérrez has been one of the leading immigration reform proponents in the House. He is exploring a run for president. Someone to keep an eye on for our issues... http://thehill.com/homenews/house/362393-gutierrez-moves-toward-a-presidential-run-report <http://thehill.com/homenews/house/362393-gutierrez-moves-toward-a-presidential-run-report> Jeff Carter Cell: (202) 374-4387 | @jeffcrtr Past President & Policy Advisor National Coalition for Literacy www.national-coalition-literacy.org <http://www.national-coalition-literacy.org/> jcarter@literacypolicy.org <mailto:jcarter@literacypolicy.org> Vice-President, Committee for Education Funding Executive Director Physicians for Social Responsibility 1111 14th St, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 www.psr.org <http://www.psr.org/> | jcarter@psr.org <mailto:jcarter@psr.org>